They used to say, 'Offense sells tickets while defense wins championships.' Then, things evolved. 'A good offense is better than defense because defense is a luxury.' We've gotten spoiled. We've seen two Philadelphia Eagles teams win championships in eight years. Doggone it, we should have won three. Meanwhile, we've seen evidence of both theories. Offense... Defense... Two championship wins play out differently
Offense saved the day in Super Bowl 52 while an icon made a crucial play to help decide things, and though the offense was again stellar seven years later in Super Bowl 59, we mostly talk about the stellar job by Vic Fangio and company.
Then, when time allows, we talk about a recently retired icon who played as a member of both teams.
Howie Roseman gives Eagles legend Brandon Graham and future star Jihaad Campbell their flowers.
There will never be another Brandon Graham, and that sucks because, if we could create another, we'd be assured the Birds would win three more titles during the next eight NFL seasons. A legend and survivor in every sense of the word, B.G. is the author of the greatest strip-sack in NFL history and a two-time Lombardi Trophy winner.
We may not be able to clone him, but Philly has its new star, and wouldn't you know it? He's developed a reputation for getting after the quarterback, too. Jihaad Campbell is a phenomenal talent and the player Philly selected 31st overall during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Who would have thought? Offense sells tickets AND wins NFL Championships now? Recently, Eagles vice president general manager Howie Roseman appeared on 94 WIP-FM's Afternoon Show, and wouldn't you know it?
Both guys' names entered the conversation.
On Jihaad Campbell, Howie Roseman said the following.
"Right before I got on this call, Jihaad Campbell was outside (of) my office. He wanted to come say hello. We are going to LOVE this player and this person in Philadelphia! I couldn't be more excited that we were able to get him in this draft last week, and when you ask that question (Is he a linebacker playing edge or an edge rusher playing linebacker?), I'd say 'yes' to both (questions).
Howie seemed unconcerned about past injuries that prevented Jihaad from being drafted higher. When the topic shifted to B.G., he offered this.
"We've had some great players here that I've been fortunate to be around. The relationship that B.G. and I have is special. The first pick for me as a G.M., a lot of times I feel like our careers paralleled each other. There was a time where it wasn't so much fun for either of us here in Philadelphia. We kind of fought through it together. Obviously, B.G. making that play in the Super Bowl was special for our fans, for our team, and for me personally...
A lot of conversations... A lot of support for one another. Not only do I feel I've had his back, I feel he's always had my back and has been tremendously confident in what I'm going to do.
Throughout all the changes, (Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, Lane Johnson, and Graham) always believed. They believed we'd get it right, right here. I never took that lightly. I always felt special that they believed. I had an obligation to to do whatever I needed to do to ensure they were successful as possible."
Here's what Howie said that really stood out (Howie talked about the rough times):
"You had a couple of players that everyone thought we should draft over him. He got hurt in 2010, and he was kind of coming back in 2011.
In 2011, there was a game where he came back. We played in Miami. I want to say, at the time, we were 4-8, and he was inactive. (We) had a conversation in Miami that was basically like if you're going down, I'm going down too'. You and I are going to be in it together. If you're not going to be successful, I'm not going to be successful...
We shared a moment... In typical fashion, he looked at me with a big smile and said, 'I got you.' I'm not sure I believed it at the moment. I was hopeful, but he (kept his promise).
They were never teammates, but it feels like one Bird is a carbon copy of the other. We've learned to take Howie's word for it. He has earned that level of trust.
B.G. was phenomenal and one of a kind. Campbell will be too!